On Black Mass

Black Mass is a great title, suggestive of some huge unstoppable evil that cannot be defined. The film itself is, at times, a keen representation of evil. Yet, more than just evil, this is the story of a psychopath, who without much background becomes even more unknowable and terrifying. It is undeniable that James ‘Whiety’ Bulger is, as represented in Black Mass, a psychopath. There are enough examples of that in the film and it is undeniable that Depp brings a scary intensity to the role making this a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable film. Once again Depp is able to disappear into a role with the help of a little make up; he is unrecognisable from role to role and while his Bulger has a force that is impossible to ignore, it is not quite the layered performance of John Dillinger from Public Enemies (2009). There are many well-worn tropes of the gangster film present here and even the location, South Boston, has become synonymous with crime, The Town (2010), The Departed (2006), Mystic River (2003). Whilst the film, due to the familiar genre has a weird sense of déjà-vu, it is handled well and therefore engages throughout. Some judgement, more than observation, would have perhaps raised Black Mass above a good study of gangster life, but it remains a lot of fun.